Education in Finland

Finnish Educationin a Nutshell

Source: http://www.minedu.fi/

Education System

Education is free at all levels• All people must have equal access to

high-quality education and training• The same opportunities to education

available to all citizens irrespective of their ethnic origin, age, wealth or where they live

• Most education is publicly funded

Educational support

• Every pupil and student has the right to educational support

• Special needs education is generally provided in conjunction with mainstream education

Most students continue their studies

• More than 90 per cent of the relevant age group starts general or vocational upper secondary studies immediately after basic education

• First national examination is at the end of general upper secondary education

Higher education with a dual structure

• Most university students aim for a Master’s degree

• Polytechnic degrees provide students with practical professional skills

Life-long learning in focus

• No dead-ends in the education system

• Adult education has a long and strong tradition

• Recognition of prior learning has been developed in order to avoid unnecessary overlapping of studies

Education systembased on trust and responsibility• Local administration and educational

institutions play a key role• Educational autonomy is high at all

levels • Quality assurance is based on

steering instead of controlling

Highly educated teaching personnel

• The most common pre-service requirement is a Master’s degree

• Educational leaders are required a teacher qualification

• Continuing teacher education is encouraged

• Teachers are recognised as keys to quality in education

Some FIN-US comparisons (PISA)

Some FIN-US comparisons (PISA)

Some FIN-US comparisons (PISA)

PISA results

PISA results

High numeracy and literacy rate of adults

Teaching as a profession interests and is appreciated

Low or no corruption rates

Strong emphasis on offering support and special teaching for low performers

Strong basic security in society

Professionalism high self-esteem of teachers

Free education (i.a. books, meals, transportation)

Independency of educational providers

Basically all students have a further study place Working-life appreciates educated work-force

Governmental financial support for providers

High concensus of basic goals of education

Same comprehensive basic school for all

Sustainable leadership

Recognition and appreciation of existing innovations

Focus on deep learning, not testing (Flexible accountability)

Independent teachers as professionals

The Culture of trust

What can be learned from Finnish education?• More collaboration – less competition• More equality – less private

organizations taking care of education• More personalization, decision making

and assessment at local level – less standardization and testing (diversity vs monocultures).

• Trust based responsibility (self-evaluations, listen students and municipality people/ parents voice)

• More professionalism – less bureaucracy

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